Faith and Obedience in Extreme Trials
Rev. Dr. Antonio M. Alfred, Pastor
Daniel was a man who when placed in the most dangerous of trials, consistently displayed unwavering faith and obedience toward God. According to Daniel 6.1-5, this elderly diplomat’s colleagues with the intent to destroy him conceived an evil plot. Daniel’s faith and obedience to his God was to be the very same instrument of his testing. However, his attitude and actions in this ordeal would express his faith and obedience toward his Sovereign God in the face of an extreme trial.
In the United States, it is rare to hear of a Christian facing such a life-threatening situation with respect to their faith, as did Daniel. For this reason, a study of the attitude and actions of Daniel in Babylon is insightful. It takes place during the captivity and exile of the Jews from their homeland. Just as Believers are considered pilgrims in a foreign land, so is Daniel among the Babylonians. Examining his application of God’s laws will prove useful to Christians living in America.
In order to understand how to submit to God when personal sacrifice seems great requires finding out why Daniel was willing to risk so much. Understanding what motivated his unyielding obedience will help a Christian, Alfred 2 AMA 3-28-19 living in an ever-increasing pagan culture. The result will be successful godly living.
In Daniel 6.5-9, the city officials mislead the king of Babylon. He was deceived into passing a law that restricts prayer to him alone for thirty days. The penalty for violation of this law was a night in the den of ferocious lions. The Bible states that the administrators were certain that Daniel would disobey the king’s decree. Scripture reveals that they assumed, based on their observation of Daniel’s godly lifestyle, he would hold fast to the laws of his God. In this passage, the administrators and satraps, assert that Daniel’s religion is the only way to destroy him:
Whether the King acquiesces to their deception for political means or sheer pride is debatable. Even so, he as well as Daniel would soon find himself in a trial that would prove their character. For Daniel, it meant facing a life threatening circumstance.
Many professing Christians frequently fail miserably in trials that fall far short of the ordeal endured by Daniel. When facing social, economical, or political pressures that cost them status or cause them pain, they tend to shrink from the task. However, the Bible reveals that Daniel persevered when faced with deception and conspiracy in the pagan culture of Babylon. Alfred 3 AMA 3-28-19
In the passage above, Daniel’s adversaries cunningly proposed a proclamation disguised in flattery before King Darius meant to destroy the godly nobleman. Regrettably, Daniel notes that the King fell for their charming words and divisive counsel. Daniel reports that when he “learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before” (Daniel 6.10-11). Thus, it is clear that Daniel’s actions reveal that he would bow to no other but his Sovereign God. Even at the cost of his life, Daniel resolved to pray to the God of his fathers.
Several times in the Scriptures, for instance in the book of Ezekiel, Daniel stands out as a righteous man (Ezekiel 14.12-20). The Bible says that God considered Daniel to be a man who walked right before His eyes. Even upon the possible release of the just wrath of the Sovereign God, Daniel is prophesied by Ezekiel to be found among the saved. This and other passages magnify the fact that Daniel’s faithfulness was well known among the Jews. It also shows that Daniel is a man to be emulated during times of extreme circumstances.
Daniel is a character of Scripture who consistently displayed simple yet uncompromising obedience to God. Even when it meant sacrificing his political career or his very life, Daniel trusted and obeyed God. “The stories of blameless Daniel serve as examples of loyalty to the law, and of God’s faithfulness to those who trust in him. The seer [Daniel] wished to assure his people that all was in Alfred 4 AMA 3-28-19 God’s hands, prearranged and sure, and that the present agonies but indicated that the triumph of the divine purpose was at hand.”
In order for Believers to successfully endure in trials, unwavering faith in God must be present. Though a situation may seem unfair or too much too bare, assurance of God’s sovereignty in the trial is necessary to remain faithful and obedient. Throughout the book of Daniel is the utterance of his integrity to keep the law of God. Daniel obeyed man’s law so long as it did not bruise his conscience or conflict with God’s commands. In such cases, Daniel simply resolved to do the will of his God. He does this because he is convinced that God is in control of things in heaven and on earth. Daniel believes that God “overrules and eventually will overcome human evil”.
Daniel is an example of courage in the face of eminent danger. Found in this character of the Bible is a notable example to be imitated by Believers today in American culture. The story of Daniel illustrates confidence in God’s sovereignty when overtook by a trial. Daniel’s response to the decree passed by King Darius, shows that Daniel was consumed with faith in God.
Accordingly, a Believer’s response to trials gives evidence of their faith. It reveals to what extent a Christian believes their God is a Mighty Savior. Daniel’s belief in his God caused him to do no less than faithfully submit to the Lord in the trial of the den of lions. Likewise, a Believer’s faith ought to propel Alfred 5 AMA 3-28-19 them to exude confidence and conformity to Christ in temptations. The basic message of this story is simple: “Remain faithful! God will take care of you”.
